A/N: A slightly less lighthearted story, but hopefully it ends on a happy note... I had this prompt in my draw bag and was eager to explore it. Loss isn't a heavy theme in the Mario universe, but the Paper Mario series has some gems in that regard.

Enjoy, and feel free to keep sending in story ideas! Even if I don't do your prompt immediately, I might be filing it away for later, so try your luck.

Day 6

Prompt: Memorial

Characters: Bobbery and Cortez

Summary: For some, Christmas is a time of reflection, of remembering those who no longer exist to share it. But it doesn't need to be sorrowful.

The gentle waves lapped against the hull of the Black Skull, bringing a sense of peace to all who resided on board. It couldn't have been a more perfect day for sailing; the seas were merciful today, and the sun beat down upon the ship as if blessing its voyage. The sunlight was warm if one stood directly beneath it, but the wind was bitter. The ocean had been gripped by the claws of winter.

The crew was small - just a handful of Toads and Bob-ombs - but they didn't need anyone else. The journey had been so peaceful, and it was a relief to be away from the noise and pollution of Rogueport. There was something so intimate, so powerful, about setting sail with only a few hands on deck. However, they still needed a navigator - and luckily, they had one of the best navigators in the world.

Bobbery stood by the helm, his mustache fluttering in the wind as he surveyed their surroundings. The ocean had never inspired fear in him. Excitement, yes; a sense of adventure, yes; but never any real terror. He loved being out here, riding the waves and listening to the seagulls overhead.

Yet, the winter brought strange feelings over him. Emotions that he'd once tried to lock away, but since his adventure with that young fellow, Mario, had finally allowed to bloom. The cold sunlight made him remember things... things that had happened so quickly his mind had barely been able to process them. Trauma? Maybe so. Maybe once. But since the fated day when Mario had delivered Scarlette's final words to him, he had felt... more at peace.

Ahh, Scarlette... A sigh escaped him, emerging as a puff of frozen vapour. The arrival of the cold season had brought back a flood of memories of his beloved ex-wife, the lovely Bob-omb who had cared for him and been faithful to him until the very end. Who had passed away, years ago during a winter much like this. Bobbery had been out sailing, and hadn't known about her ailing condition until he returned - far too late to save her. Scarlette was dead, and he'd never even had a chance to say goodbye.

'Lost in memories again, my comrade?'

The creaky voice of the pirate Cortez spoke up from behind him. Cortez had become a good friend these past few months, happily giving control of his beloved ship over to Bobbery. Once a bloodthirsty pirate feared by all the seas, he had become remarkably laid-back in death. He might be nothing more than a giant floating skull, but he possessed wisdom and knowledge. Of many things.

'Cortez, dear boy... Quite rude to interrupt someone while they're musing over the past, don't you think?'

'Oh, I know how you feel,' said the pirate, a little too cheerfully. 'I've lost many loves in my time - 'tis the life of a pirate, me hearty.'

'Many? Really, my friend? How could you claim true loyalty to anyone if you - as you said - lost many loves?'

'I don't just speak of romance. Oh no. I speak of family, friends, the crewmates of the Black Skull... Yes, this ship had a crew once. Proud pirates, every one of us. But as far as I know, I am the only one to linger behind in this form... The others moved on to a more peaceful state of nothingness... I wonder, sometimes, if I should have done the same...'

Bobbery turned back to gaze over the helm. The waves rose and fell with a gentle rhythm, unbroken by stormy weather. They would have a peaceful rest tonight.

'...I couldn't possibly answer that, old boy. But I... I often find myself reflecting when winter comes... It was during these cold, lonely months that my beloved Scarlette fell ill.'

'Ah, yes. 'Twas an especially icy winter that year, wasn't it?' Cortez's voice was low and contemplative. 'I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but it's not your fault she died. The winter is merciless and claims many victims. Alas, I remember voyages where my own crewmates were struck down by its frozen grasp.'

Bobbery was quiet, watching the waves crest, lap against the prow, then fall.

'My mind continues to wander to those days,' he said after a moment's pause. 'After her death, I was broken... lonely... wallowing in a most undignified pit of self-pity...'

'And then Mario came. Strapping young fellow, isn't he?'

'Aye. He delivered a letter to me, a letter written by Scarlette herself in her final days. It told me what I needed to hear.'

'That she never blamed you?'

'Indeed... in fact, she wanted nothing more than to see me happy.'

'So you decided to return to the sea. Just as I did, when Mario returned my precious skull gem to me... At first I hesitated; the idea of setting sail without my loyal crew felt disrespectful. But I knew deep down... they would have wanted to see their captain ride the waves again.'

A long, long moment of silence ensued, and in the absence of conversation, the gentle rushing of the water seemed to grow louder.

'...I haven't celebrated Christmas since Scarlette's death,' said Bobbery thoughtfully. 'Before now, the mere thought of putting aside my misery and allowing myself even a moment to enjoy the festivities...'

'You couldn't bear the thought of Christmas without her,' said Cortez.

'But, this year... now that things have changed... I feel a strange stirring. A stirring I haven't felt since my younger days.'

'Aahhh... I, too, have been thinking of times bygone. In fact, old boy... how about we make port on Keelhaul Key and have our own little Christmas celebration with the islanders? I'm sure our crew would enjoy it. They'll be stories and booze aplenty.' A toothy smile stretched up the pirate's skull mouth.

'Old boy... I must say... I wasn't under the impression that you could drink.'

'I cannot. But I'd pay good money to see you challenge Pa-Patch to a drinking contest,' Cortez snickered.

Bobbery smiled faintly beneath his mustache, the key in his back turning a little faster. 'Oh, why not? Let's make port and drink until we can't dwell on our memories anymore. I'm sure Scarlette would laugh to see me having fun like a reckless youth.'